Brisbane have come back from 24-4 down to win the Queensland derby 35-24 in a chaotic clash in which three men sent to the sin bin and Payne Haas booed on his every touch.
Haas was the centre of attention, given his much-publicised pleading for a release from his contract, but even his star was overshadowed by a manic, incident-packed game that saw the Titans surrender a huge lead at Suncorp Stadium for the second year in succession.
The prop admitted that the booing threw him off his game, telling Nine “it rattled me a little bit” in his post-match interview.
“It’s been tough, I’m usually not one to get rattled but when I heard the boos come out when I got the ball it rattled me a little bit. But I composed myself, just stayed in the game and did my job for the team.”
Coach Kevin Walters admitted that the contract drama might have affected his whole side’s performance as well as that of his star player.
“First half it may have but second half they got their heads on and away they went,” he said.
“All I try to do is get around Payne. I don’t think it’ll drag on. He’s the best prop in the game and we don’t want to lose the bets prop in the game. I can’t see Payne Haas playing reserve grade.
“He showed his commitment tonight. While he’s got a Broncos jersey on, he’ll always do that.”
Walters said that he was disappointed by Haas’ decision, but was confident that the Broncos management would be able to come to a deal with the player’s representatives.
“We’re not going to release him,” said the coach. “He’s been a big part of our club for a few years now and I believe will be into the future.
“I think the players are pretty resilient these days, and rugby league is a business. For mine, I was just making sure that we stuck together and that all the distractions that happened this week didn’t affect what was happening on the field.”
While the Broncos rightly will get credit for their comeback, the manner in which the Titans collapsed was spectacular. Two of the tries they conceded – one from their own kick off, another from a horrendous dropped kick – were entirely of their own creation.
It will infuriate Justin Holbrook, because for so long, the Titans were excellent in defence and clinical in attack. Their inability to maintain intensity for any length of time seems chronic: they have now won 1 in 8, and that win came in golden point.
“It’s really disappointing, that’s for sure,” said a visibly devastated Holbrook. “I can’t get over this quickly. We had a great week, prepared well, we get out there and then we’re in control of the game at 18-0. We should have kept going that way.
“We can’t settle it down, can’t get it back, and we need players on the field that can get that sorted. Our two sin bins were just dumb when we’re in complete control of the game.
“If we were getting beat 40-0 and they did all that reckless stuff I’d take a lot more blame. But were in a great position to win the game and we found a way to throw it away, which is hard to take.
“We deserve to feel like this. We let our club and fans down. We played our biggest rivals and no doubt a lot of Gold Coast fans would have been so happy at 24-4, and then the finishing score I don’t expect any of us to feel good about it.”
It was hard not to feel for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who was immense: the lock made 18 runs in the first half alone and topped out at well over 200m running. When he was replaced on the hour mark, he was the clear man of the match.
Despite his stirring performance, the Titans captain apologised to the media in the post-match press conference for his role in a crucial try for the Broncos, and said that the fault for the defeat lay with the players rather than Holbrook.
“One thing I’ll say is that it’s on us players,” he said. “Justin and the coaches are doing a lot behind the scenes for us. They get the week right and us individually need to get it right, it’s not the coaches.”
The Broncos, on the other hand, are now unbeaten in six and fourth place on the NRL ladder. Their catalyst was Ezra Mam, in just his second game of first grade, who buzzed around everything good that Brisbane did, scoring one, creating another and making 21 tackles from halfback.
“Half time couldn’t come quick enough for us to get them all settled again,” said Walters of the comeback. “They all know, it’s just a case of taking that moment to reset and then go again.
“These guys have been great this year and I knew that they weren’t playing at the level that they were capable of. The Titans were playing some good footy, but our guys weren’t in there physically.
“We spoke about it at half time and, to their credit, they came out and started to play like the Broncos we know they are.
“We weren’t too much worried about the scoreboard. We were concerned about our defence, and we fixed that up, we were first to score in the second half which give the guys a but of confidence and they went on from it from there.
“There’s been a few distractions this week for the playing group and I thought they came together beautifully in that second 40.”
The first major incident came via the bunker. Jordan Riki was the first to go to the bin, with the Broncos backrower adjudged by the TV officials to have hit Toby Sexton in a late and reckless manner after he had passed the ball. It was close, but on balance, probably the correct call.
With Riki sat down, the Titans struck. Jayden Campbell, so impressive since his return to first grade, caught Mam out on an edge and snuck in front of him to open the scoring.
The Titans then withstood serious pressure despite the man advantage – Haas going very close – before scoring again seconds after Riki returned through Corey Thompson. Selwyn Cobbo, much touted for Origin selection, was caught jamming in by Toby Sexton and could only watch as the ball sailed over his head to the Gold Coast winger.
The Broncos kept piling on the pressure, but were missing the creativity of Adam Reynolds in attack and were repelled by the Titans. Too often, they opted for the crashover rather than hitting their strike players wider out.
When the Gold Coast returned to good ball, they again took advantage. The score was the product of multiple offloads – first Fa’asuamaleaui, then David Fifita – and a superb kick from Toby Sexton that was met by an onrushing AJ Brimson.
Sam McIntyre and Esan Marsters of the Titans were then binned for professional fouls, leaving the Broncos with a two-man advantage late in the half.
It seemed inevitable that the advantage would lead to points, and it did through Selwyn Cobbo. The Broncos, however, were immediately pegged back by the 11-man Titans as Fifita caught them napping in defence and rushed in from dummy half.
The second half began with another bombed try, this time with Corey Oates dropping the ball over the line. When the Broncos did get in, it was almost in spite of themselves, as Te Maire Martin attempted to throw a pass, only for Brian Kelly to knock it back into his path over the line.
The next came immediately, and was perhaps even more chaotic. The Titans attempted a short kick off, but dribbled the ball to Riki and he returned it straight back to the house. It was a catastrophic play from the Gold Coast.
The hara-kiri continued. Jamayne Isaako dropped a kick under little pressure and from the next tackle, Herbie Farnworth was able to push his way over – aided by the lack of markers stationed by the Titans. Suddenly, a 24-4 lead had become 24-22 with 20 minutes to play.
Brisbane were soon in front. Mam was the architect, sending Oates into space down the touchline, from which he kicked inside for Kurt Capewell to score.
The rookie would seal the deal. Mam put Farnworth outside of Brian Kelly and the English centre returned the ball to him for his first try in the NRL.
He was even showing up in defence, though again the Titans did not help themselves. Needing to score next to stand chance, they lost their way in the tackle count, allowing Mam to wrap up Campbell on the last.
Tyson Gamble added a late field goal to ice the cake and made it 31 unanswered points for the Broncos. The comeback had been remarkable, even if the Titans collapsing again was not.
Cat Brown
Guest
What is the fuss about Haas about. Bronco's aren't big on loyalty. Just ask Dale Copley. Signed with the Bronco's and just moved on for a new shiny toy called James Roberts. How did that signing go. There is no loyalty in NRL by either teams or players. Gordie you can't talk. Didn't speak up when they moved Copley on
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
look at Taumalolo and his contract. When you're on the big bucks you've gotta turn it on every week & if you have a bad game everyone says they're underperforming, paid too much etc. (not that the player is complaining)
MUCK
Roar Rookie
Hes still only 22 . Im annoyed at his request and would be happy either way if he got the boot or changed his mindset and played on but Im not going to support a pile on everytime he runs the ball. The message was sent last night , i think he heard it , how long do you want him to cop it , 4 games , 8 , next year .
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He can captain the maroons
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
The issue is that a player is really only required to make themselves available for selection, turn up to work, follow reasonable directions and adhere to a code of conduct. They aren’t required to perform at a reasonable standard, or even put in their reasonable best efforts. There’s good reasons for that, but you do get the occasional matterson or Boyd type behaviour. And we would see more of that if clubs were willing to stand firm with their contracts rather than letting disgruntled players go.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"hes (sic) still only a 22yr old kid" ... being paid $¾ million, $14,400 per week, to perform as a talented - supposedly - young adult, consistent with undertakings he gave in the last year or two under a much publicised contract in which he gets close to $10 million before he turns 30. He is paid more than the Prime Minister, with contingencies the Club must make to engage a top ranked barrister at midnight when he gets carted off for abusing policewomen and abusing the companion (or whatever they are called these days) when he is drunk in Tweed Heads, which in 2019 he undertook most earnestly to not do (cough, cough); when he refuses to respond to the NRL Integrity Unit¹; and when he gets drunk in public and starts belting workmates, which in 2019 he undertook most earnestly to not do (cough, cough). A brief search found there is plenty more to consider. "I've got little brothers and sisters and family who look up to me ... I want to be a good role model to them" sayeth Our Payne (7Sport May 27, 2019). Words are cheap. ¹ the Broncos CEO read a statement at the time “Payne’s level of cooperation with the investigation by the NRL integrity unit fell short of expectations and the standards set by our club. We see this is as a mistake made by a young man and we are confident Payne will learn his lesson." It is said he then turned to the Club's media staff and spluttered "Which one of you galoots wrote this rubbish?"
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What’s there to agree. I’m not stating my opinion here. It’s a fact. There’s not a whole lot that can be done to stop 2 parties agreeing to vary a contract. As the 2 parties to the contract that’s their right. In the Haas case, regardless of what I think of his conduct, he’s still obligated to provide his services to Brisbane and is providing them, unless Brisbane agree to terminate the contract. And if they agree, then that’s Brisbane’s right and the end of the matter.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Fifita is a fine player, just not at $1.2 million. That was always, always, always going to be a terrible deal. You can’t build a team around an overpaid player because it means that you can’t pay everybody else what they are worth. Possibly, it could work with a playmaker who makes the players around them better, but not an edge forward.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
And they did take a risk with him – he needed a shoulder reconstruction after his first 3 games. Probably a very big part of why he was so eager to agree to a long term contract.
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
I agree the booing should stop, perhaps silence as the next step and then applause, but no cheering. But he’s not a ‘kid’, he’s a 22 year old grown ass man.
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
If anyone at the Titans should be on $1.2 million a season it’s Tino, not Fifita.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Foran is one of my favourite players. I'd have him in any side, he would never let you down. Injuries have been his biggest curse. The Titans have made a great move signing him. I'm pretty sure they bought him for his experience and mentoring.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Its been this way with the GC for a long time and its NOT just this game. There must be something very wrong within the culture of the club and players, as this happens every year and no matter who plays for them? When they build an unbeatable and platform in the 1st half and blow it in the 2nd half the same way, every time, especially against the Bronx. Hate to be a GC fan as I would be absolutely fuming to see/feel this, year in and year out and to know that even if the side builds a 20+ points lead in the 1st half, they are a big big chance of losing the game. Justin Holbrook and the club should very seriously look at their culture and the club should especially doubt the Psychology of their coaching, as all that must have allot to do with what is happening within this side and club. Its just not a confidence and/or a 'one off' as losing like they are with a massive lead in the 1st half and especially when the GC play some outstanding and entertaining footy, should be looked at very seriously, as they had and have the players to be right up there in the top 8 and they are running 14th as 2013 running 6th is their best go so far in the last 10 years .
MUCK
Roar Rookie
Im ok with the home crowd booing Haas last night but that should be the end of it. The points been made and I dont want to see it every week as a habbit. Hes let us down , he needed a reality check , he got it but hes still only a 22yr old kid. Move on now and be happy we are playing finals this year.
Muzz
Guest
Haas was a beast.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The Titans have no one more experienced that is guaranteed a start in their run-on side, so they might as will persist with Tino.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Titans , overstocked with knuckle headed brawn need to buy some immediate on field brain for the cogwheel. Keiran Foran might be too late to save Justin H. from the Nathan Brown comparisons.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I understand the points you are making but don't necessarily agree - noting that we may both be missing the nuance of each others arguments as a consequence of the forum. The frustration fans feel around the current contract situation, and using the easy example of Hass, is that the club made a long term commitment to the player paying well above his worth in the initial years on the expectation that he would develop to match value in later years. In Haas' case he has absolutely done that but the exchange is that he received 'overs' in the early years. Whether he is receiving 'unders' now is subjective, some coaches would say yes and others would argue he is still on 'overs'. Joseph Suaalii would be another current example although there are many more. In league terms, the balance of power is unusual in that it resides with the player when they are perceived as high potential, are already above average or there is a shortage of their skillset. It is only average and below players (in terms of first grade) or players at the end of their careers when the balance starts to shift. This is very different to a normal workplace. It's very difficult to say players don't honour their commitments as it never gets to that point - it is always managed as a mutual termination when negotiations break down. The Haas situation is absolutely a situation where the player is threatening to dishonour his contract - by saying he wants an immediate release, he is refusing to honour the terms of the contract he signed some years ago. I believe the situation is very easily understood - we have an environment were contracts are not as binding as most would prefer as an accord is generally reached which is seen as preferable to the negative consequences of poor performance, team discontent and all the other factors that come from contract disputes. The Haas situation will be fascinating to watch particularly if the Broncos stick to their position of no release and refuse to meet Haas' salary expectations.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Close. Bulldogs beat the Mariners 48-36.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep I expect Titans to be a top 8 side too. Might still end that way. But they’re still at least one piece short of puzzle. Hope they sort it out, despite the local rivalry I’ve always had a soft spot for the GC sides in their various incarnations. Tino and Campbell are 2 of my favourite players.